The Arkansaw traveler., 1887-09-03
GEORGE AND MYRON.
Peck's Sun.

AS the Sun was the first person to suggest Rev. Myron w. Reed, of Den yer as a successor to Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, at Plymouth church, Brook lyn, it is pleasure to observe that he has been called to Plymouth for trial heat. He has given very general sat- isfaction to all who have heard him preach, and those who know say that his chances are better than those of any other minister, at present. 1 have known Myron Reed since 1859, when 1 worked in printing office at Watertown, Wis, and he was study ing law in the office of Enos and Hall Il believe it was their office. He was full of the devil, and had some of it in me. We were not particularly intimate, but met occasionly, and were well enough acquainted to watch each others career later. A few years later we were both in the army, and after the war wa over lost sight of each other. freequently saw the name of Rev. Myron Reed, ill the papers, but never thought of it being the law student. One day met him, years after, in Milwaukee, and for an hour we talked over old times, smoked, and laughed, took dinner to- gether, etc. Finally I thought about & minister of the same name, and 1 said, "Who is the Myron Reed who is preaching? Cussed if I didn't think one spell, when saw his name in the papers, that it might be you, but of course knew you never had any re- legion." Myron laughed and slapped his leg, habit he has when excited or interested, and said, "Why, George, am minister. have been preach ing for several years. Come and hear me some time. would like to pick you out of the congregation, and preach you special sermon" 1t was true, but couldn't believe it at first. I was ashamed of myself, for in our conversation had not been choice in my language. Then thought what a sacrifice he had made, and said, ''It must have been pretty tough on you to get religion, and have to give up hunting and fishing" He said he did not have to give up sport. He enjoyed fishing more than ever. and many sermon had come to him while fishing. We'll, it was quite while before 1 heard Myron preach. was afraid to go for fear he would see me, and preach something personal, and give me away. Afterwards he preached at the old Academy of Music, and 1 was in Milwaukee one Sunday, and strolled in there, and took seat behind one of the iron posts, near the stage. There was crowd, and pretty soon Tom Williams, the cornetist, of Severance and Williams Band, came out on the stage with his cornet. 1 had known Tom since 1 was kid, had danced to his music twenty years before, and l was going to spat my hands, and give Tom a good send of, when some one who sat next to me hunched me, and I put up my hands. Tom emptied the wet wind out of his cornet, put on the mouth piece, threw his head back, shut his eyes, and played "Near- CT My God to Thee," with variations, and when he finished, had to search in my coat-ta pocket for my hand kerchief, for was all in a perspira- ton, and my eyes leaked awfully. That was the first religion ever had, and it was blown into me with an E. fiat cornet, by a ed-whiskered man whom I used to steal watermelons from at Whitewater when 1 was a tow headed boy. We'll, Myron took his cue and came on when Tom went off the stage, and he looked right through that iron post and saw me. thought maybe Tom gave me away, but Myron said he didn't and min- ister wouldn't lie. He prayed such a prayer as never heard before, and couldn't help feeling that he was put ting God on to a red-headed rooster behind the iron post. He didn't men, tion any names, but he hinted to God that there were sinners around that Academy who thought they were 90 smart that they would not be found out, and called his especial attention to them. was relieved when Myron let up on that prayer, for he was all fired near laying himself open to a suit for libel, if was inclined to get hot about it. Then he preached He was solemn when he was praying, but when he got to preaching he got the